Boy Airlifted After Shark Attack Off Florida Keys

An eight-year-old boy was seriously injured during a shark attack while spearfishing in the waters near the Florida Keys. He was quickly rescued and transported to a hospital by helicopter.

The incident occurred approximately four miles off Key Largo at Horseshoe Reef around 3:30 p.m. The boy was bitten above the knee by a shark while fishing with his father and sibling. The child’s father promptly signaled a nearby scuba diving boat operated by Horizon Divers. The crew on the boat responded by applying two tourniquets to stem the bleeding and assisted in returning the family to Garden Cove Marina.

At the marina, emergency responders immediately airlifted the boy to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Authorities described his condition as severe, and he underwent surgery the same night. Additional details about his current health status have not been shared publicly.

Emergency dispatch audio indicated the boy had lost a significant amount of blood and appeared pale, highlighting the seriousness of his injuries. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were informed about the attack.

Visuals show a shark swimming in the water, emphasizing the danger of the encounter in the area. The community remains cautious as authorities investigate the attack further.